Twenty-five years ago, a back-to-basics two-seat lightweight convertible sports car debuted at the Chicago Auto Show. With a small front-mounted engine powering the rear wheels and the essence of a European roadster, it could have come from any British carmaker, except for the fact that it came from Mazda. And in the quarter-century since then, the Miata has shown the motoring world how successful a minimalist sports car can be.

The idea of a compact, modestly powered roadster did not originate with the MX-5 or even Mazda. A body style nearly as old as the automobile itself, roadsters (traditionally defined as an open-top car with a temporary roof and removable side curtains, not roll-up windows, which really makes the Miata a convertible) were a common sight on U.S. roads though the early 1980s. As the decade came to a close, however, cars like the MGB, the Triumph TR7, the Fiat Spider, and the Lotus Elan were becoming less and less common on used car dealer lots. As for new lightweight roadsters, the Alfa Romeo Spider was one of the very few options available to new car buyers in 1988.

The original MX-5 Miata, or NA in Mazda-speak, borrowed heavily from the styling of the Lotus Elan, without being a direct copy. The Elan was a benchmark in the car’s suspension tuning as well, as were other lightweight sports roadsters like the Triumph Spitfire and the Alfa Romeo Spider. With the MX-5, Mazda was attempting to achieve “jinba ittai,” a Japanese concept that translates to “horse and rider as one,” a near-perfect way to describe how a well-built sports car should make a driver feel on a winding road.

The 10th Anniversary Edition of the Miata, an example of the second generation. Photo courtesy Mazda North American Operations.

Though official work on the MX-5 didn’t begin until 1986, the car’s roots can be traced back to 1976, when then-journalist (and later, Mazda employee) Bob Hall met with Mazda Research and Development employee Kenichi Yamamoto. When asked what kind of car Mazda should build in the future, Hall pointed out that the once-popular British roadster, simple in design and blessed with modest power and superior handling, had all but vanished from the American landscape. Five years later, Hall, by that time a Mazda employee, revisited this conversation with Yamamoto, then the chairman of Mazda Motors. In 1982, approval was given to research the idea, and over the next four years the automaker produced several lightweight sports roadster concepts before approving the final design in January of 1986. Its official debut took place on February 9, 1989, and it instantly racked up praise from journalists, consumers and rival automakers alike.

When the MX-5 Miata hit U.S. dealerships in May of 1989, it was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produced a modest 116 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to a curb weight of just 2,116 pounds and a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, the MX-5 could run from 0-60 MPH in under nine seconds, making it more than quick enough to be entertaining. As Hall himself once explained, “If you can’t go fast on 90 horsepower, 900 horsepower probably won’t help you.”

Thanks to the car’s light weight, double wishbone suspension in front and rear and four-wheel disc brakes (with vented front rotors), handling was superb, even in stock form. Praise from reviewers poured in before the car even hit dealerships, creating a consumer demand that drove prices far higher than Mazda’s suggested $13,800 retail price. Perhaps because of the car’s low base price, consumers didn’t seem to mind, and demand for the new two-seater outstripped supply until well into the car’s second year on the U.S. market.

The third-generation Miata, launched for the 2006 model year. Photo courtesy Mazda North American Operations.

Those who’ve driven first-generation Miatas can attest to the car’s abilities, as well as its charm. Handling is sublime, and the chassis is forgiving of all but the most ham-handed mistakes behind the wheel. Throws of the short-throw shifter are precise and direct, but for buyers unskilled at working three pedals, Mazda offered the first-generation Miata with an optional four-speed automatic transmission as well. The tri-fold top can easily be dropped or raised by the driver with a single hand, and its vinyl rear window can be opened with a zipper for added ventilation on top-up drives. The 1.6-liter engine, aside from a crankshaft issue with early examples, has proven to be nearly bulletproof, as long as the owner carries out the prescribed maintenance. A testament to both the car’s robustness and its capabilities is an oft-quoted statistic from Mazda: On any given weekend, there are more Mazda MX-5s being raced than any other single model on the planet.

In the 25 years since the MX-5 Miata’s debut, Mazda has launched a second generation (sold from 1998 until 2005) and a third generation (which went on sale in 2005), but all have stayed true to Mazda’s initial concept of a simple, lightweight and affordable sports car. The various generations have appeared on Car and Driver’s “10 Best” list 14 times, and the Guinness Book of World Records recognizes the Miata as the “Best-Selling Two-Seater Sports Car” in the world, with more than 920,000 examples delivered through December of 2013.

As for the name “Miata,” its origin has traditionally been shrouded in a bit of mystery. Some say that it was based on Siata, the Italian sports car, while others insist the name was computer-generated, as is the case with other Japanese automobiles (such as the Toyota Camry). The best explanation, however, comes from Leon Dixon, a Mazda North America (MANA) Mazda Motors of America (MMA) employee who contributed to the design of the original and second-generation MX-5s (and also wrote much of the Miata owner’s manual). Per Dixon, Mazda Motor of America (MMA) marketing employee Rod Bymaster came up with the name “Miata,” which is said to be a derivation of the Old High German word for “reward.”

A new version of the Miata is due for 2015, and word is that Mazda will also use the platform to underpin the next Alfa Romeo Spider, which will wear entirely unique bodywork and carry a different, Fiat-Chrysler sourced engine. The Miata, then, has really come full circle in 25 years, to the point where it will now be supporting a legendary model that was once an essential part of its development.

Happy birthday, Mazda Miata, and here’s to 25 more.

Author’s note: Special thanks to Leon Dixon for his contributions to (and fact-checking of) this article.

I have an original (with A/C, rear deck spoiler and factory front air dam) 1990 Miata. It is in perfect condition. It has never seen rain or snow. It is Mariner Blue with black interior. I have owned it since 2001. I’m the second owner. This is car is the closest thing to owning a Fiat Spider 2000 (the car of my youth). I love this Mazda..ZOOM ZOOM……

I’ve owned a Spitfire, 2 MGBs, AH Sprite, Fiat X1/9, and a Merkur before buying a 1990 Miata with 70K on it. I finally let it go when it had 160K and got almost 1/2 of what I paid. It took a 2006 Mini Cooper S convertible to get me out of the Miata. It felt just like my MGs except it started everyday. I loved all the cars but it just might be the top in fun, economy, and dependability.

I had the pleasure of owning a 94 M Edition for almost 8 years, finally conceding to old age and sciatica. Having owned a 1972 Fiat 124 Spider from new for about 6 years, I found the Miata to be magnitudes better in every way. My Mazda put a smile on my face every time I drove it (until the aches and pains set in!!) I have only been out of the car about 4 months, but miss it very much.

I like to take credit (tongue in cheek) for the Miata. One day, about forty years ago, as my wife and I were enjoying our 1972 MG Midget, I said to her, “You know if the Japanese would just build a small, two-seat roadster like this, they would make a killing.” I don’t know what Mazda would consider a ‘killing’ but I don’t think they’ve done bad with the Miata/MX-5 roadster. A car like the MG with quality and dependability that the Japanese cars are noted for… well, what more could you ask for? An American brand to compete? That would be nice and I had hoped that the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky would be that car, but, unfortunately, they were a bit off the mark.
Oh yes BTW, I also like to take credit for Fazoli’s Italian restaurants. Again, one day when my wife and I were looking for a place to grab some quick food, I said to her, “Somebody needs to open a fast food restaurant with an Italian menu. They would make a killing.”
I’ve had some great ideas over the years, unfortunately I have never had the funds to back them or the wherewithal to make it happen. Sigh.

Another great article Kurt! Can’t hardly believe it has been 25yrs. I so badly wanted one of these that when it first showed up at my local Mazda dealer, I hurried over to take a look and test drive with a couple of friends. Alas it wasn’t meant to be my new car as all 6’3″ of couldn’t fit behind the wheel. That was fine as the dealer was asking about a grand over sticker. Had I fit I probably would have waited til the following year when the newness was worked out and the premium was dropped. I still wouldn’t buy a first year of any new model.

BigRedRivi, I completely ignored the MX-5 when they were introduced, writing them off as too underpowered to amuse me. On a visit to Colorado in 1998, a buddy tossed me the keys to his Miata Showroom Stock racer, and one drive was all it took to convince me. I bought my first Miata, an NA about a month later.

I’ve since owned the latest variant, the NC, making the Miata the only car to violate my “never buy the same car twice” rule. Though I’m currently between Miatas, there is no doubt that I’ll have another in my garage in the future.

I had the pleasure of taking ownership of one of the first 6 units to hit the New England market back in 1990. It was red and surely drew a lot of attention from young and old alike. And to this day, it remains the best car I ever owned. It’s fit and finish, handling, economy, and sexiness (for the common man, like myself) goes unparalleled.

Those who want to upgrade their Miatas would do well to look up a really good book by Jeff Zurschmiede. He edited Mazda World magazine for a while. (He’s been a friend of mine for over 20 years, and just traded a C3 Corvette for a 1920 Model T. A genuine motorhead!)

He was given a pretty clapped out original, and rebuilt it and improved it along the way. Nothing terribly radical like stuffing a SBC into it or other similar abominations. Just upgraded components and kept the look and feel of it original.

I forget the title just offhand, but as How To books go, it’s pretty good.

I’ve sold used Miats exclusiverly, delivered 138 of them so far. Never is it a “chic” car, instead one of the finrest built sports cars ever sold. Hsaving had two Ferrari’s and two Aston-Martins, I can honestly say the NC Miata is a blast to drive, never breaks, looks really cool top upr down, no wind noises from air leaks, and gets 30 mpg. In my estimation the finrest sports car ever made for the money. Never knock one until you run one through the slick gearbox, then comment all you care to….
Gerry

Kurt,
If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you had hacked into my network. I’ve been saying the very same thing for years.
” It needs a V8, it’s a girls car” and worse.

My college chums and I used to compete in rallys with the Hall twins in LA, one of which was Bob Hall, who later became the chief product planner for the first Miata. It was unbelievable enough that they found him, but when they apparently used pretty much every suggestion he offered, well, we’ve been driving the results since 1990. What a home run.

No ‘shortcomings’ here; isnt it interesting that such is the common ‘comeback’ from the easily offended metrosexual males that seem to gravitate towards these cars…methinks thou doth protest too much…
I assure you I know and appreciate cars – however, the fact is that the majority of miata drivers are girls. Aint nothing wrong with that as girls are my favourite thing, but its a fact. I do love V8s, and V12s, certain straight sixes and quite a few fours. But the common factor amongst the cars and engines I revere is ‘soul’. The miata is missing that in spades. As a friend once said ‘you open the door and a light comes on – must be a refrigerator’.
I have driven several of the little cars as an instructor at DEs at my nearest road course, and just cannot see the romance in them. Sue me.
I had a Lotus elan for several years 15 yrs ago or so. Had lots of fun when a girl in a miata would pull into the same gas station I was using. Nearly inevitably, they would look at my car, look back at theirs, look back at mine and smile. Occasionally, I was asked if that was ‘the new miata’. Naturally, not a one of them knew what a Lotus was, so i usually enjoyed telling them that my car was older than they were and that they were driving the copy! Right down to the cam cover even being styled after the one in mine…
And actually Jerry old boy, the one spec miata racer I do know is indeed a girl. She is very quick and could probably outrun me in even cars. But she’s still a girl – and an attractive one at that – and that was the point of the comment that I initially replied to; miatas attract an inordinate percentage of girls. As do Mustangs. Fact.

Eric, we’ll have to agree to disagree about the Miata, but I understand where you’re coming from. The Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S are the current darlings of the media, but both struck me as underpowered and soulless. The Honda S2000 was a great car for race track use, but its absence of torque at low end made it, in my opinion, suboptimal for use as a street car.

For me, the Miata (in any generation) is the ideal blend of performance and value, and I’ve never driven another car in its price point that’s equally entertaining. Your mileage may vary.

As far as ‘fact’ is concerned, maybe we should leave the true gender demographic numbers up to Mazda and Ford to produce. Using your example of anecdotal observations(i.e. what you alone have noticed on the road) I could make a similar case for saying that pickups and fullsize SUV’s seem to me to appeal to women, certainly more than Miata’s and Mustangs, by my count, because that’s what I’ve noticed while driving in my region. By that standard, if you were to qualify the Mustang statement by citing drivers of 1994-2004 six cylinder models, I might agree. I’ve noticed a fair amount of female drivers for those. I find no area of agreement concerning the adoption of gender demographics to Miata, and overall, the notion of assigning those demographics to inanimate objects like cars, and to car colors, belongs in the history books in the same chapter as segregation and ‘a womans place is in the home’.

As for the Miata DOHC cam cover designed after the Elan, I read that the motor in total was borrowed from the Mazda 323 AWD model, though it reminded people of the Elan motor, at the time.

Well, Ford has historically cited approximately 60% – it varies from year to year naturally – of new Mustang sales to females. That doesnt even count ‘primary purchaser’ males who buy/bought them for their wives. Havent read any stats for 4 or 5 years, but I doubt it has changed much.
As for mazda, never saw anything and never cared, but a friend that worked for years at a multi point store that carried them said that miata sales were probably close to 75% female. Anecdotal agreed, but still.
I know such is anathema to the PC addled mind, but boys and girls are different; and Viva la Difference! And yes, demographics can be assigned to inanimate objects. Period.
I’m done.

And who’s to say chicks and old gay guys can’t out-drive everyone else in an autocross?

Those who stereotype others often get embarrassed. Long ago I met a pretty gal in Houston with a Triumph Spitfire, and with her 4 wheeled Supermarine namesake, they shot down a lot of male egos on area clubs’ Sunday circuits.

Brian, I used to love to give rides to those who considered the Miata a “chick car,” as invariably the drive ended with them gripping upholstery, white-knuckled, saying something along the lines of “OK, you’ve proven your point.”

I couldn’t agree more. Every passenger who got in the passenger seat thinking my NC was a “chick car” (which in itself is an insult to car chicks!), exited in the same manner as you’ve stated with the addition of a shriek more often than not.

Great comeback. I’ve been known to stereotype most current Mustang drivers as hairy-knuckle, NASCAR-wanna-be, pseudo manly-men. That’s just as wrong as stereotyping Miata owners, or Subaru owners, or Mercedes SLK owners, or Audi TT owners, etc., etc. (ahhh, it’s good to be back)

Girls loved them. Guys, at the time, though they were somewhat wussy. It wasn’t till the suspension was upgraded and a stronger 289 replaced the 260 (Guys didn’t Do the 6s) that they became the Pony Car that everyone talked about.

Frankly, when they first came out, I preferred the Plymouth Barracuda. When it became the Formula S, it was a pretty taught little car. A tad under-suspended, being derived from the Valiant and all, but certainly superior to the first run of Mustangs.

Au contrare! I worked for Ford on the first series Mustangs (one of the reasons why Mr. Hirai invited me to walk the first few Miatas down the line). I don’t recall anyone thinking Mustags were “wussy” cars back then–unless they were a 6-cylinder automatic. Quite the contrary.

WIthin two blocks of where I grew up in Detroit there were at least five Mustangs sold… like right away. Two of these went to guys who were hardcore car guys. Repeat: HARDCORE.

One of these fellows, Eddie, lived a couple of doors up and he was a test driver for AMC (yes–American Motors). He used to come home with all kinds of strange vehicles. But HE bought a new Mustang! He waited for the 1964-1/2 260 cid engine to get phased out and got one of the first 289s. No sooner than he had that car than he went racing in it. And that Mustang was not to be underestimated. I recall taking it to Detroit Dragway several times and coming home with a big white “T” painted on the windshield (if you weren’t there, the “T” stood for TROPHY).

Now Ed did a few supertune tricks and the car ran so incredibly fast that he was actually protested more than once… but the strip officials never found a thing illegal on a tear-down! I also recall Ed taking what he called “the ‘ol little horse” out on North Woodward a time or two. But Eddie was a serious speed racer. He would rarely race on the street… unless something very big was involved.

That day came when some guys in a big-block max-wedge Plymouth showed up talking loud and bad about Eddie’s “little horse.” But he refused to race them despite a month or so of taunts. But THEN they did something stupid: they put up a big wad of money… CASH. THAT got Eddie up on his feet and connecting a battery. His maroon colored Mustang (always with no hubcaps) came growling out of the driveway and off we went to a deserted street in another part of town. Need I tell you who won? We had a nice dinner that night!

(And before I get accused of being anti-MoPar, I was the youngest person in the country on the Chrysler press preview list in the 1950s. I have owned numerous MoPars including two Dodge Challenger convertibles, one bought new– along with others. I wrote the history of the Chrysler Gas Turbine program (for Hemmings SIA long years ago) And my boat had a Dodge Red-Ram Hemi with a GM 6-71 blower. Okay?)

Daniel,
I thought, with auto writer Daniel Strohl remembering that by his account, early Mustangs were thought of as “chick cars”, I must have missed the memos about that for the last 50 years. Still, I thought to ask a friend who works for Ford in Dearborn, effectively, why had I not heard this before now from someone. His answer was-‘that’s the first I’ve heard that pronouncement, too. We used women in the ads, but we also featured dentists, accountants, and the like. We sold 1.2 million cars the first two model years.I’m sure some women were in the mix…’

I have owned a light blue 2001 with hardtop, suspension package, 6 speed; and then a loaded black 2002 with hardtop, tan leather interior, suspension package, 6 speed, multi disk Bose CD etc. I never had anything go wrong with either of them, and of course they drove like go-karts. I unfortunately broke my leg badly, and it was difficult getting in and out of my Miata, since it was my daily driver.

What really bothers me are the people and journalists who label Austin-Healey 3000s and Triumph TR250s etc. as cars for “real men”. I now own both an A-H and TR250 and really don’t understand why those of the female gender can’t have or drive either of these models. As they are much older vehicles, they are not as bullet-proof as the Miata and often need little things to be done on them, but both are easy and fun to drive.

Bet you didn’t know you qualified as a ‘real man’. These dinosaurs that can’t understand why a woman would opt for the TR250 and A-H 3000 come from the same litter as those that maintain that the Miata is a ‘girls car’ and the original Mustang is for ‘wusses’. Hearing from them is the price of admission we pay in order to have free speech and unmoderated comments on some blogs.

About moderators, I had other blogs in mind, not Hemmings, when I was thinking of this. But, to be fair, I also gave the readers credit for the even tempered tone of this section, when I now know to give you and your fellow staff members some of the credit.

There are at least 3 other women in our area’s A-H clubs that don’t know that they qualify as “real men” either. But then we have women co-owners of their husbands’ Healeys that have never driven their cars!

People who listen to those who label cars as either “girl” cars or “guy” cars don’t know what they are missing, and are most likely unsure of their masculinity or femininity, respectively. I prefer to live my life by my values, not others.

Sarah has a very wonderful and valid, yet sad point here. I will always say that it is a mistake to put such labels on cars–at least with negative intent. And it is a mistake to stereotype and pigeon-hole people. This reminds me again of a particularly toxic marketing/product planning meeting that I attended that involved both RX-7 and Miata.

There were always those in and out of car companies and the hobby who chose to belittle certain cars or the people who own them. This is unfortunate.

In the case of RX-7 (a car by the way that had the biggest club in the WORLD then), it was determined back in the 1980s at one point that 52% of the buyers were women. Now there were certain persons who saw this reality as the kiss of death for that car and set out to “macho-ize” it and Miata. Some may recall that things went so far overboard as to even have it stated that 3rd-Generation RX-7 was designed primarily for men! They actually said this in some early press releases. Smart move, huh? Not. And we know what happened to that car, don’t we?

Anyway, in this particular meeting which included MMA and MRA people, I asked for a pause in the discussion and stated that I was strongly opposed to this kind of talk and mentality in these cars. I felt it was a mistake. Of course, an argument ensued and things degenerated into some verbal nastiness.

But things came to a head when I mentioned that my girlfriend at the time had just purchased a new RX-7 GXL… fully loaded. One of the macho types in the meeting looked at me and said something to the effect that here was the worst evidence of all, a blonde who liked having her nails done and who wore high heels buying an RX-7. Ohhhh…THAT did it.

I then decided I needed to educate this kook from the stone age. My girlfriend–unknown to most people–had raced Corvettes for many years… and WON on some of the nice tracks like Laguna Seca (now…Mazda Raceway) and Riverside International Raceway. The guy’s jaw dropped when I asked if he knew who Jim Hall was–as in Chevy Chaparral Jim Hall. Yes, he kinda knew who big Jim was… but so? I told him… “So is… when Jim Hall came to Riverside and did a lap of honor …guess who it was who drove the car with Jim Hall–AT JIM’S REQUEST?? My same nails & heels RX-7-owning girlfriend–who coincidentally won or placed high in several races at Riverside…driving Corvettes. And I have photos. THAT pretty much ended the meeting with some stunned, silly looks on the faces of the “real men” who were pushing that agenda.

John, I’ve owned both the NA (first gen) and NC (current gen), and I wouldn’t advise using either for all-season transportation (even with snow tires and bags of sand in the trunk). Better to preserve them in the garage, giving you one more reason to anticipate spring’s arrival.

Kurt, I owned a Fiat 124 Spyder that was a surprisingly good snow bird, and an enjoyable winter driver – ’till the tin worm finally got it.

However, its innate frailty and susceptibility to rust would put the Miata light-years ahead of the Fiat. So yes, I’d agree with you, especially considering that I may be putting an Alfa Spyder back out on the road, soon.

May the time time-honored ritual of “getting ‘er ready for spring:” never end!

When push comes to shove, you could get by in a Miata by keeping the skinny stock tires in good condition and making sure to have a full tank of petrol for added rear end weight. I also drove an S2000 in a surprise snow storm home from work, and don’t recommend that in winter. The rest of the year, both cars are the most fun you can have …(well, you know).

Kurt, My wife drove her NA as a daily driver even in the midwest winters. I put a set of snow tires and she had the automatic. The only trouble she had was when the school’s snow plow piled the stuff behind her. But the wrestling team took care of that by lifting the car out of her parking spot.

Now my ’02 SE with the 6 speed saw a snow dusting once and I didn’t think I would make the 3 miles home!

I wish I had known of weight in boot suggestion. The rear end of my early one spun out suddenly on a curve, and I couldn’t correct in time. Also, if you are over 6 feet, it’was too small. Otherwise great fun.

Graham, go drive one. In any generation, they’re the most fun you can have in the price range, and a few minutes behind the wheel has never failed to put a smile on my face, no matter how foul my mood.

Kurt, if experienced race car owners & drivers (including you) think that they’re a great car, that should be a good enough reason to at least give one a try instead of dismissing them based on stereotypes.

Got my first one, a 1990 many years back, then sold it due having abdominal surgery, getting in and out was a problem, also where I live in the NW it’s mostly top driving.
Finally could not resisit any longer, and located a 97 M edition in dark green with everything and only 60k miles, a few years ago. Have had many folks want me to contact them when I want to sell it. Also the first time I have repeated a car.

Several years ago my wife and I bought a used ’95 that belonged to a local travel agent. It was a streel legal racer that he competed with in SCCA events. He had his company logo on all four sides of it along with other assorted decals. The engine had performance work done to it, stainless free flowing exhaust, tuned suspension, performance wheels & tires, roll bar, etc.

It was hands down faster than any stock Miata, and many other vehicles on the road. It handled like a go cart and was just a hoot to drive. On top of that, it was super reliable and got great fuel mileage.

Then came the day when my son needed something cheap and economical to drive, so trying to help him out, regrettably, we sold it to him. After which he has thoroughly molested and trashed the car.

I’m on my third Miata. Started with a ’93, red on black, with the B package, limited slip, and 5-speed. It reminded me of the TR-4 I had just out of college.

Next came an ’01, LS, crystal blue over tan, with the suspension package, Torsen limited slip, and 6-speed. A great car.

Now, I have an ’04 MazdaSpeed with the LS1 grand touring package, 6-speed, and a few extras added by the original owner. When I began looking for a replacement for the ’01, I really didn’t like the looks of the NC. It looked like Mazda was straying from the original concept.

I can’t remember the source , but I’ve read the Miata is the most raced vehicle on any given weekend. The cloud of ‘chick car’ is doing the car and any potential buyer a huge disservice. These little cars handle great , they have a revvy engine and a well matched tranny right out of the box. The Brits may miss the fluid leaks and smell of smoldering wires, but these really are great little sportscars.

For Christmas one year, I bought my wife a 1973 MGB, the last year with the chrome bumper. We enjoyed the car even as we complained about the brakes, the top, the oven-like heat inside during the summer.

Then we began our series of three successive Miatas, the first a 1991, the last a 2001. Somebody turned in front of her right after new years. She wasn’t hurt but the car was totaled. It had145,000 carefree miles on it. She replaced it, regretfully, with a 2013 Altima, “an adult car”. Then again, she is 70 years old!

The Miata, I often observed, was everything the MGB was not but wanted to be.

I bought one brand new in April of 1990. It now has 167,000 miles and is still my favorite car. It inspired me to start racing (in a Miata naturally), which in turn led me to start a business making racing electronics. I can truthfully say the Miata changed my life. Thanks Mazda.

Forgot to mention I have a couple Datsun roadsters (among the 24 other cars) one was my daily driver until I bought my 1991 Miata for 1500.00 including the hard top. Its blue in color as red is a “chick” color for a Miata IMO. It has 234,000 miles, drives great still. Prior owner restored right before I bought it for 1500.00 including the hard top. Great little car!

mine was an early base model with just limited slip diff. and floor mats. no A/C, P/S, CC, power widow or locks, or raido. used it as my only car in the snow/rust belt for a few years. great car, always fun, fast on an autocross course, and never broke. looking for one/a few 1990 model year right now.

that is a very very nice one. the staining looks like the coating that came on them from factory was not removed and has yellowed, but not sure. as with all cars i would do an in person inspection or pay someone else to do the inspection, if car is to far away, before buying. but what i see in the pictures looks great. plus all the cars in the back ground are interesting also. thanks. .

All of these cars were shipped from Japan coated in a special rust inhibitor and protectant (sometimes incorrectly referred to as “cosmolene”). This was to protect the car for shipping only. Normally the protectant coating was removed in a special hot kerosene-boosted wash at the ports. Sometimes more than usual amounts of of the coating got applied and not always well removed. Final detailing of this was supposed to take place at dealer prep, but this didn’t always happen, for whatever reason. The area shown yellowed in the photos was most often overlooked at final detailing especially if a port-installed or even dealer-installed accessory bra was in place. One some of these bras (depending on the vendor) there were even strips of Velcro installed in these areas. And yes, the stuff yellowed over time.

You are most welcome! This was yet another area that I was involved in reporting and monitoring: shipping protection. I was responsible for making a huge report to Japan on all shipping protection methods and procedures used by ALL manufacturers and importers in North America. As Mazda head Kenichi Yamamoto once said about me, I was the guy who “wore many hats.”

Being 6ft 4in. My love for Miatas was diminished when a rock hit me in the head while driving. Neally put my lights out and tought me to drive with my head below the windshield upper pillar. I always upped the ignition timing as far as it would go on the back of the head. Helped alot.
ZOOM ZOOM

My brother had an Elan and two sisters bought Miatas. The Elan was very fast, the Miatas, very slow. Elan was always broken. Miatas, never. Take your pick. My Elise is the closest thing to a hybrid of the Elan and Miata. British genius w’ Japanese reliability. Only the intake camshaft in the Toyota 2ZZ-GE failed. The British parts have all held up. It’s a strange new world.

I love my 1993 Miatta. It has to be my favorite car ever. I loved my Triumph TR3 but it always had issues. As it turns 21 years old this year it is still going strong with only regular upkeep and still a daily driver for our second car.

I once found a 9 year old model, one of the first special editions (green with saddle leather) with only 9,000 miles one it, like new, for $9,000 (made remembering the numbers easy). I was tempted to put it in a glass case and preserve it for sale at an auction around now. Wonder what it would be worth.

S/N 1 Miata was given to the San Diego Automotivie Museum in Balboa Park on or about 1992. The Maita Club of America wanted 800 Miata’s to be on hand for the event; more than that attended. The two young designers who did the project, one of which I believe was the son of the GM designer who penned the Buick Riveria, were on hand. Talking to them, they were pretty much given the free hand to make the car what they thought it should be, simple and light weight. The over head cam valve cover housing was ment to pay homage to the XKE’s cam cover. If owners had a problem with their Miata, they wrote to the Miata Club and Mazda would respond with a fix; good for brand loyalty. Even a 302 Ford powered Miata was on hand at that event. Miata, A Milestone Design For Sure. JR.

Hello… yes, I mentioned Mark Jordan in my posting below. However, the first car coming up in the link posted here is not the M-Speedster, but rather is the Miata Mono-Posto. Somewhere I have a photo of me sitting in the Mono-Posto before it was first shipped off to the auto show (I believe SEMA). I also have photos I took of the clay mockup of this car. But it was very different from the M-Speedster which was designed for two occupants rather than one as the Mono-Posto.

MRA employees were offered special color mouse pads with the Mono-Posto on it when the project was completed. I still have mine.

The next car in the Bing link is indeed the M-Speedster (Stage One) and the next car is M-Speedster (Stage Two). Uhhh… I preferred Stage One and I have pics of me standing with the car on a precision table in the design studio and sitting in the car elsewhere.

The M-Speedster and Mono-Posto have very different driving lights. Of course, the way to get fog lights and any accessory approved back then was to go through (are you ready for yet another acronym?) MAD. In the early days of Miata development there were just a couple of guys doing accessories and they functioned in a kind of netherworld of organization. Later, there was MAD (Mazda Acessories Division) which ultimately got cannibalized in re-org after re-org after layoff upon layoff. And yes, one of my many hats was also in this department (I still have my official department shirt with the “MAD” logo on it).

The light’s went on the Mono-Posto. They were the Catz MSX model. I’m trying to remember the chain of events – it’s been about 17 years – but I remember going through Jim Kilborne who worked in the accessory side in Irvine. As part of the project he introduced me to Mark. The lights were originally designed for the aftermarket, and they had to be modified with a bulb shield to meet FMVSS. I initiated the project to get the lights into the accessory program, and it needed more work. However, I left Catz before it could come to fruition. Japan decided they were moving the company from Huntington Beach, CA to Columbus, OH and I wanted to stay in California. HQ in Tokyo wasn’t hip to the idea of employees working from a home based office – they wanted everyone in Columbus. So, I found another job. No one at Catz pushed the Mazda accessory project after I left – and it never came to be.

Hello…yes. Well if you think it has been a long time, imagine when I try to think back on when we changed things like the top latches and down-position stopper heights and when this or that version or prototype was built. Or the different burglar alarm/theft deterrent systems we did. Just this last Friday I was trying to remember when it was that we first road tested the Miata with automatic transmission. I remember this was built at the factory as a yellow car, that was then painted over black and sent over to us to road test. I was the first American to drive it.

Then there are the crazy stories on the internet and published all over about the specially-painted, special color Miatas. These stories get wilder and wilder and wilder as time goes on… and people who were never there have all kinds of arguments… hadda be this… musta been that. So there is a lot to remember from those years and I can understand how difficult it is, believe me!

Jim Kilbourne was one of my good buds at Mazda MRA. Like me, Bob Hall, and Mark Jordan, Jim was originally a MANA employee and he was there for the entire Miata development. In fact Jim went on earlier test drives than I did since he was originally in product planning and I was originally attached to service division in the very early days. I am certain that if you even mention “Miata” and “Mazda accessories” to Jim, my name would likely be the first one mentioned. I developed a LOT of stuff that will never be known, including cell phone systems…even for the ill-fated luxury Amati. He would also tell you that it was me who first suggested and got developed a tempered glass backlite rear window for the Miata. This, even when people back then said it would be impossible! One of my prototypes which was developed with the help of Robbins Auto Top Company was actually installed on the very first prototype Second Series Miata, a red one that we sent to Japan. It was the first with exposed headlights. This became the basis for the new glass rear window. But the Japan side decided to add what I call “THAT rubber gasket” on the production version.

By the way, two of the special color cars received my prototype tempered glass rear windows. One of these two cars was purchased by a very lovely lady in our office named Diane. No idea where it is today.

Jim and I both also worked as part of PPR (Product Planning & Research) and then Advanced Engineering at MRA in Irvine. We were the only two staff members in our capacity who were originally set to move over to MMA–which–as I said–was a very different company. While Jim indeed moved over and ended up in several capacities there, I remained at MRA until the bitter end when my department was suddenly dissolved …and that was that.

In 2010 I bought a red ’94 C Package with 61K miles. In beautiful condition, never driven in the winter, super clean and extremely well maintained for $4,100. The best sports car value out there as far as I’m concerned. I will keep this car for the rest of my life.

Bought myself a brand new red one in 1995 as a 50th birthday present to myself (Hey, no one else was going to do it.)

With 60K+ miles on it it still drives like new and never fails to please. I recall my first driving impression that this was a car that felt like you were wearing rather than just sitting in, such was the oneness of driver and machine.

Congrats to Mazda on developing one of the best sports cars of all time.

One small correction: while I am listed above as a former employee of MMA, frankly I never worked for MMA at all. And the correct wording spelled out for that acronym is actually “Mazda Motor of America (not “Motors”). People in the USA incorrectly think that Mazda is all one thing, but it isn’t. MMA is the importer company and sales organization of Mazda in North America. They oversee the ports, service training and dealer organization, but that was all in those days. It was always more of an American company. Rod Bymaster worked for MMA. In the early days of Miata development, MMA was actually split into two main sections: MMA-East (out of Jacksonville, FL and actually owned by C. Itoh company) and MMA-Central (out of Dominguez Hills, CA and actually owned by Sumitomo Bank). The two arms of MMA were eventually merged into what exists in Irvine, CA today.

I was an employee of MANA (Mazda North America) in Irvine, CA and later, MRA (Mazda R&D North America) also in Irvine… but never MMA which was a different company. Relatives… of the same family, but very different, individual companies–especially back in those days. SO… I worked more directly for the parent company in Japan and under very, very different conditions and environs… in different locations. My reports and suggestions went directly to Japan.

Aside from Bob, we were the people who were almost never seen nor mentioned in the press and in the books and write-ups. Of course there were untold numbers of Japanese (whose names, sadly, shall never be known) who also worked feverishly night and day on developing the Miata for market and production. I know. I was the only American at the engineering wrap party in Hiroshima Japan. I remember one year when I spent almost half of that year in Japan. I would leave the office late at night and return the next morning to find the same guys, sitting in the same spots as I left them late the night before. I didn’t ask, but I suspect many of them stayed there all night long. As my one boss Mr. Watanabi (a close colleague of Mr. Hirai) said, “We went to heaven and hell on that project.” These are the guys who also deserve the praise and undying thanks of Miata fans.

And at the invitation of Mr. Hirai, I walked the first handful of Miatas down the assembly line in Japan. For many years I held onto the very first hand-made string-bound Miata Owner’s Manual that I did together with the staff of SRC (Mazda Service Research Center) in Hiroshima. It had some of my hand-drawn illustrations and text done on an IBM typewriter. I went to look for it recently, but now I fear it may have been stolen when my storage was robbed years ago. Bet it got tossed first without anyone knowing its true value. I think I still have my early proof copy of the Workshop Manual. I was one of three Americans (one from MMA-E and one from MMA-C and myself) who were sent to Japan to do the very first service training for North American and other English-speaking service personnel.

The person mentioned by the fellow referring to a Miata Club function as “the son of the GM designer…” etc. was in fact Mark Jordan, son of GM’s Chuck Jordan. Yes, Mark was involved in the design of the Miata. In the early years, both Mark and Bob Hall worked in a room just across the hall from me at MANA where we were all employees at the time. This would have been in the early 1980s.

Finally, another one of my ideas was to cover the optional removable hard top in grained vinyl (as many were indeed done on other sports cars and in the aftermarket during the 1960s and 1970s). My rationale for this was to eliminate the need for dealers to stock a jillion different colors (which ALL were reluctant to do anyway) and to minimize the possibility of damage to paint from scratches, etc. We actually made TWO vinyl-covered tops. These were done in black cobra-grain and looked fantastic–even rich. Certainly superior to the pedestrian matte black textured paint suggested in early prototypes.. and even superior to body color. One of these tops was kept in the USA for evaluation… the other was sent to Japan for the same purpose. While the Japanese rather liked the idea and it certainly would have facilitated more sales and less hassle, some young fellows in U.S. product planning and marketing shot it down. One of the reasons? “Geeeeeezzz! Vinyl covered tops? That so OLLLLLLD style!” So help me. That’s what they said. I reminded the young fellows that the whole idea of Miata was RETRO… and what did they think THAT was supposed to mean? But it fell on deaf ears and that was one of my ideas that got shot down. Too bad because I am certain both dealers and owners would have been more attracted to that top and it would have been more durable and not limited to any one body color–so it would have been compatible for any Miata. But that was that. Last I saw of prototype vinyl hard top #1, it was covered in dust and sitting in the basement at MRA in Irvine… unloved, unwanted… and certainly not understood as the time went by. Perhaps it still exists.

By the way, the most ecologically-friendly car in the world–at least for a while–was a Miata… a hydrogen-powered Miata. Yes, they built one and the only thing coming out of the tail pipe was water vapor. There was also en electric Miata prototype built. We kept it for a long time at MRA in Irvine, California below my office. No idea where it is today.

I have owned two Miata’s! A 90 and a 91. They are as tough as nails and a blast to own and drive! Everyone that drove mine ended up buying one. I am looking at buying another this week. I do believe they are more like a drug than a car.
Once you have owned one you can’t do without one!!

Hey Kurt,Last summer when I retired I wanted a little 2-seater vert. to run around in.I almost bought a Miata.I bought a Toyota MR2 Spyder instead.They are both good looking cars,I really like my Spyder.Am waitng for an article in Hemmings Sports and exotics about the Spyders.

My daily driver is a Mazda, but not the MX-5. I have a Mazda5, which is the hardly-known Mazda mini/micro van. It’s a great vehicle. I can haul 6 people, a grandfather clock (not at the same time), a couple of MG fenders, and get 26 mpg doing. It handles rather well, too. Too bad more people don’t know that Mazda makes a whole bunch ohf nice and unique vehicles.

Like many others on this long list of commenters, I am a very long term owner of a Miata. I have a Mariner Blue B-Pkg. 1990 model with hardtop, built in May 1989. I bought it when it was two years old from the local Mazda dealer near Charlotte, NC. A poor fellow had traded it for an MPV van! For awhile it was my only transportation. Since then I have purchased luxury and sports sedans, SUVs and more expensive sports cars, but I have never been tempted to sell the Miata. It’s now a fourth car and maybe seems a little slow and primitive compared to our slick much newer cars, but driving it never fails to bring a smile. You can’t be depressed when driving a Miata! Thanks Mazda for a quarter century of happiness — this deserves a champagne toast!

Sorry, guys, I see another egg shaped rice rocket. I know by a lot of previous letters it’s very popular, but the design is so generic I wouldn’t recognize the brand without the article headline. Never been a fan of Mazda, but to each their own. Maybe I’m just too old school and other brands are far more appealing when it comes to a sports car. No worries.

I come from a family of jag collector, And I myself have owned many a triumph convertible. It was the English’s lack of reliability that drove me to the Miata. I just wanted a car that would start every time I turned the key, and more importantly; kept running once I was down the road. So I found myself trying to put aside the preconceived notions of what a Miata is and found 1990 NA in pieces and bought it. It sat in my garage for two years and I finally put it on the road. It surpassed any expectation I had. I pure blast to drive. As Kurt said “people who mock the Miata haven’t driven one” or don’t know how to drive. Nothing is more fun than drifting a Miata around a round about with the top down and the wind blowing in your hair!

When I was in college I was lucky enough to buy a 1963 Fiat Cabriolet with 33,000 miles. It was like brand new and I picked it up for just $450. I loved that car and drove it until the wheels fell off. I wanted another roadster for many years and just couldn’t find one I could afford. I drove 75 miles to a Miata dealer when the Miata was announced and still have the brochure– but I couldn’t afford one (have had 40+ vehicles, but never a new one). I waited until used prices were right and now drive a ’96 MI Miata. I can put the top up and down like I could in the Fiat and it’s just as much fun to drive. Zoom Zoom!

I have owned three MGB’s, one of which I rebuilt myself, so I’m obviously a sucker for this type of car. When the Miata appeared in 1989 (1990 model), I knew it was the car for me. I owned my red Miata for 14 years. It was the most satisfying car I’ve ever owned. I guess I need another.

I had a 97 Montego Blue with tan leather. I modded it as much as I could- intake, exhaust, shocks, sway bars. I did nothing internal to the engine. A good set if shocks that lowered the car a little vastly improved what was already great handling. And advancing the timing added noticeable torque. I sold it for a MINI convertible a couple of years ago, and while I love the power and the ability to carry 3 people, I’ll akwayts miss the Miata.

I’ve owned 3 first gen Miatas. I bought the first Miata sold in Eastern Kentucky. My wife and I took the car on a trip the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway soon after. I have never owned a car that attracted as much attention. Being one of the first around, I had conversations every time I stopped, since not many folks had seen one. Although I now have a C5 Corvette convertible, I suspect it is only holding the garage space for another Miata in the future.

I first drove a friends 1991 Miata when it was new and immediately knew I would own one someday. That day came in 1999 when I purchased 10th Anniversary model number 900. This was the first model Miata with a six speed gearbox. Drove many short and long trouble free trips, both alone and with my wife over the next 14 years. We still like to take long road trips but the Miata was getting smaller each year as we got older.
Finally decided to find something with a little more room for us and our luggage, but still wanted something that was at least sporty if not a true sports car like the Miata. It had to be a convertible with a manual gearbox. Finally decided that a V6 Mustang was the best affordable fit. (You can make whatever you want of that.)

It was really hard to give up the Miata. It looked and ran like it was new. Someday maybe …..

VomGoom, one of the things that I liked about the two Miatas I owned was this: every time I got behind the wheel, I could drive the car relatively hard, without fear of losing my license. Working your way through the gears in a Mustang, hitting redline before each shift, tends to draw a bit more attention…

Patrick, I used to own a 1984 Kawasaki GPz 900 A3, the original Ninja, but managed to find a museum-quality 1982 Honda CB900F, a bike I’d lusted after since selling my ’81 CB750F in college. I bought the Honda, and found myself riding the Ninja less and less – what was fun on the Honda at 70 MPH was marginally entertaining on the Kawasaki at 90 MPH or so.

When I reviewed new cars for a living, I always loved getting muscle cars from the press fleet. There were a lot of fun for a week, but longer than that, the risk to my license would have been substantial.

Well I have to admit if your a minimum ‘sports car’ owner then this is your car. Personally I love the Porsche 356’s as they were the early driveable/handling cars on the planet. MG’s were good cars if you kept a pocketbook of small tools at your side at all times. Personally I like FORD cars.
Right now I drive the Dodge 6.1 Hemi and enjoy the power and handling that is at my fingertips. This is a Real Auto with Mercrdes running gear and that Chrysler HEMI ! 16 spark plugs to boot.
Just my input, Roger

Owned a 69 Austen Healey Sprite. Bought in 69. Fun fun fun. Have an 85 Fierio 64,000 miles. Blowed head gasket. GT with headers and few other goodies. Nice, but the miata just looks the Racing and Sporty Type. I’ve been looking at them. Thanks for all the great remarks. I will be more cumphy buying one. Jacky B